- Name
- Dual driver licence (taxi and private hire)
- Coronavirus updates
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Due to Covid-19, it has been decided that the reception area at 8 St Owen Street, Hereford will remain closed to the public.
Therefore, please email copies of all paperwork to taxilicensing@herefordshire.gov.uk
We will accept photographs of the paperwork taken on smart phones provided the photographs are clear.
In the 'Subject' line of the email, please write your name, your licence number (Driver badge
number/Hackney or Private Hire Vehicle Licence number) and the type of the document/s you are
submitting (for example insurance, MOT, renewal application form).Payments should be made by card for applications by calling our office on 01432 261761.
- Summary
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You will need a dual driver badge and licence issued by Herefordshire Council in order to drive a licensed hackney carriage or private hire vehicle.
Anyone can apply for a dual drivers badge and licence, however, you must:
- Be 21 years old or over
- Have held a full current driver's licence for at least 12 months
- Have the right to work in the UK
All drivers have been vetted by the council and must wear an identity badge. The vetting process includes a medical to DVLA group 2 standard, Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check, and a knowledge test of the area.
A photo badge is issued to all licensed drivers. The badge will contain the following information:
- Herefordshire Council logo
- Driver's photograph
- Driver's name
- Driver's number
- Expiry date of licence
- About this licence
- Legislation
- Fees
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Licence Detail Fee 2022/23 Hackney carriage private hire vehicle New/renewal/transfer plate (inc vehicle compliance test) £340 Renewal (no vehicle attached) £281 Private hire operator 3 year licence 1 vehicle £129 2-5 vehicles £204 Over 5 vehicles £278 Private hire operator annual self-declaration per person Plus (annual standard DBS cost if applicant has not had one previously) £85 Dual driver badge New (including medical and knowledge test as part of this fee) £357 DBS - separate fee payable to Hoople Ltd 3 year renewal (plus medical fee if due) £251 Annual self-declaration renewal (not new or 3 year renewal) £88 Change of proprietor of vehicle £115 Change of vehicle on plate (3 months or less) Including vehicle compliance test £276 Change of vehicle on plate (6 months > 3 months) Including vehicle compliance test £204 Change of vehicle on plate (12 months > 6 months) Including vehicle compliance test £119 Application for a certificate of readiness Including vehicle compliance test £227 Application for temporary insurance vehicle replacement Including vehicle compliance test £170 Replacement of driver badge £16 Replacement of vehicle plate Without brackets £9.50 Replacement of vehicle plate With brackets £17 Replacement licence following change of address £16 DBS - registration fee Payable to Hoople DVLA check Free online by driver Knowledge test - re-sit £22 Vehicle test council station £48 Doctor's examination Cost payable by applicant to own GP Occupational health doctor's paper medical referral £48 Late application charge Application not received 5 working days before expiry £27 You can pay by cheque with the application. Cheques should be made payable to Herefordshire Council.
You can pay over the phone using a debit or credit card on 01432 261761.
- Application and guidance notes
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To apply for a dual driver licence you will need to complete and have read:
Online application form for a dual driver licence
and
- Dual driver licence guidance notes
- Dual driver licence conditions
- DBS application guidance
- Medical form (it is advisable that the medical is not carried out until a satisfactory DBS check has been received)
If you do not have a British passport you will also need to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from your country of origin and/or where you have been living.
Please ensure that you read the documents thoroughly and answer all questions on the application form. Any missing information will delay the processing of the application. When you have completed all the forms you will need to take them to Hereford Customer Service Centre. Your paperwork will then be passed to the taxi licensing section.
- Processing and timescales
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Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
The time it takes to process your application is determined by the length of time taken to carry out a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check and whether you need to attend a committee hearing to determine your fit and proper status. The DBS return can take up to 12 weeks. Herefordshire Council has no control over the length of time a DBS takes to be returned.
The DBS information assists us in determining if you are fit and proper to drive a licensed taxi and/or private hire vehicle.
If previous convictions have been released through the DBS check, we may refer your application to the council's Regulatory Committee for determination.
If a licence is granted it is subject to conditions. If you breach any of these conditions we could issue penalty points, suspend or revoke your licence.
Knowledge test
Once the necessary checks have been completed and your fit and proper status is determined, you will need to arrange an appointment for a knowledge test. You will also need to read the following knowledge test pack documents before taking the test.
Knowledge test pack documents
- Zoom Knowledge test - rules and regulations
- Code of conduct and dress code for licensed drivers
- Conditions for a dual driver licence
- Conditions for a private hire and hackney carriage vehicle licence
- Guidance notes for drivers
- Hereford street map
- Places of interest and roads
- Safeguarding information sheet
- Bromyard street map
- Kington street map
- Ledbury street map
- Leominster street map
- Ross-on-Wye street map
- Hackney carriage byelaws
The knowledge test consists of 20 questions based on places of interest, roads and routes around the Herefordshire area, the vehicle and driver conditions and byelaws, a spoken English and numeracy test.
The pass mark is 80 percent:
- 16 out of 20 (80%) for Places of Interest and Policy Conditions
- 15 out of 17 (88%) for spoken English and
- 5 out of 5 (100%) for Numeracy
You will be allowed three attempts to pass the test.
You will need to provide us with two passport size photos in order for us to issue you your badge.
Insurance certificate
Before we can issue the badge, you need to submit an insurance certificate showing you are appropriately insured for the purposes of hackney carriage/private hire use.
- Validity and renewals
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The dual driver licence and badge lasts for three years from the date of issue.
On the anniversary of its issue, in years two and three, you will need to submit an annual self declaration and fee.
Annual self-declaration - year 2 and 3
Renewal application forms will be sent to you at your last recorded address. If you change address during the term of your licence please let us know within seven days.
Only one renewal application pack will be sent and you will be notified with your renewal pack if you need to undertake a medical and/or Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
The responsibility to renew the licence before the expiry is with the applicant. We will not issue a licence until all the necessary checks have been returned and are deemed to be satisfactory.
During the term of the licence you may need to renew your medical and/or DBS check. We will only send one renewal letter. The responsibility to complete the renewals is with the licence holder.
If you are under 65 years old, you will need to renew your medical every five years. If you are 65 years or older you will need to have an annual medical. In certain circumstances, the council's Occupational Health Physician may deem necessary an annual medical.
Changes to a licence
You need to notify us in writing of any change of address and/or telephone number within seven days of a change.
You must also write to us immediately if you have been involved in any incident which the police are involved and may lead to a caution or conviction and any motoring or criminal convictions and/or cautions imposed during the period of the licence.
If you fail to do this it may result in the immediate suspension of your dual driver licence or referral to the Regulatory Committee for determination. You would need to pay any costs incurred.
- Register
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Contact us to view the public register.
- Complaints
- Contact us in the first instance.
- Contact details
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If you wish to speak to a licensing officer the opening hours are 9.30am to 1.30pm.
- Telephone: 01432 261761 (all calls are dealt with by our contact centre staff and are allocated to an officer who will take action on the service request between one to five working days)
- Email: taxi-licensing@herefordshire.gov.uk
- Address: Licensing Section, Herefordshire Council, 8 St Owen Street, Hereford HR1 2PJ